Dr. Oz: Are you ready for swimsuit season?

WASHINGTON – Most people pack on extra pounds in the winter, so getting back in shape can seem daunting when beach weather is just around the corner. Just keep a few easy tips in mind and fitting into that swimsuit might not be the worst thing after all.

The first thing to change is what goes in your fridge, TV’s Dr. Mehmet Oz tells WTOP. Keeping healthy snacks in stock takes the guesswork out of choosing what to eat.

If you do decide to cheat, don’t give up on your whole diet. Taking a day or two off is OK, just make sure to start back up immediately. Don’t think of it as starting over.

“The first mistake we often make is that we beat ourselves up,” Oz says. “You can’t hold your breath underwater. You can’t diet forever.”

Even the doctor has some weaknesses when it comes to favorite snacks.

“You put chocolate in nuts and I can eat 1,000 calories without even looking up from the table,” he jokes.

Another quick tip is to figure out what you like for breakfast and lunch and eat that every day. Once again, eliminating the guesswork also eliminates the chances for error.

“That way you don’t have to think about it,” Oz says.

When it comes to the gym, “the big mistake people make with workouts is that they make it mostly about aerobic exercise” and forget about building muscle, he says. Lifting weights means you burn more calories in between workouts, and also builds strength to keep people strong and fit later into life.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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